Science Friday Science Friday

Amid shifting politics, can we build stable global health systems?

Jul 9, 2026 · 18m

Summary

Flora Lichtman interviews Dr. John Kengasong, founding director of the Africa CDC, about the Ebola outbreak in Congo and the U.S. role in global health. Kengasong criticizes recent U.S. disengagement from international health agencies while highlighting African leadership in the current response. He shares his career journey from Cameroon to the CDC, emphasizing the need for sustained political will and resilience in fighting diseases like HIV and Ebola.

Topics discussed

Sponsors: NYSCI, Progressive, and Alienware Intro: Ebola outbreak and guest Dr. John Nkengasong Current Ebola response and African leadership The role of U.S. leadership in global health Dr. Nkengasong's early life and entry into virology Building HIV labs in Cote d'Ivoire and Atlanta Creating the Africa CDC and career philosophy Sponsors: Poster House and Con Edison Lessons from the fight against HIV/AIDS Pandemic memory loss and global health security The necessity of political will in public health Credits and closing sponsor message
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